Illinois Hunting Outfitter and Guide Reviews

Outfitter Review: Golden Triangle Whitetails - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Mike Pavlick

Hunter: Mike Lembke

Animals Hunted: Whitetail deer

Mike's area in western IL meets all that is written about it. Saw mulpitple bucks although largest were tending and not moving. Took to young bowhunters who had multiple opportunities. Guides were great with them. Rest of camp saw monsters and lots of smaller bucks. Food is ok. Camp is clean and comfy. This was a bowhunting only season with IL shotgun the following weekend. We're going back for more next season.

Outfitter Review: Campbells Illinois Outdoors - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: John/Matt Campbell

Hunter: Ken Wasnock

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

Blows Pike County away!!!! I know that a BIG statement, but having hunted there for years, I can honestly say it's accurate. Its what Pike county "used to be". I originally saw them on the Penns Woods TV show. They just started their own TV show that will be airing on Fox Sports this year, so there were a lot of cameramen filming hunts when I was there during the rut. They own and farm about 13,000 acres and they really know thier land. Most of the hunting was done around fields and food plots in timber. I saw shooters on every stand. I passed on 2 135 class 10 pt and I nice 8 because I had seen bigger deer out of shooting range. I ended up taking a beautiful 150 class 11 pt with heavy mass. 7 of 10 hunters scored. There was a guy in camp who took a HUGE 184" monster the week before me!!!!John and Matt spend alot of time talking to everybody at night and the guides are friendly and knowledgable. The lodge is huge with a game room, galley and home theater.I am going back for a blackpowder hunt in a couple of weeks and will post an update.PS: Be forewarned...they have strict managment policies in place. A guy shot shot a small eight and got fined.

Outfitter Review: Coal Creek Farm, Inc. - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Pat

Hunter: John C. Law

Animals Hunted: Russian Boar

Small fenced Russian/European Boar private operation. Excellent Bowhunting & a excellent place for a 1st time Hog Bowhunter. I will be returning & Pat is an excellent host.

Outfitter Review: Pioneer Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Brian Hill

Hunter: Brian Etter

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

This outfitter has only been in business for a couple of years, but he will be honest with you. They will set you up on one of his leased properties, give you an drawing of the land you are hunting, give you some advice on how to hunt that particular land and the rest is up to you. They told me to set up on the edge of a draw, (use your own stands)watch the deer movement, then fine tune your setup. On the third evening of the hunt I harvested a 134" 8pt. If you put your time in on stand (stay in stand all day), use your first couple of days as scout time (do NOT go out looking for sign,you will push the big bucks out of your area), you too could be successfull with this outfitter.

Outfitter Review: Bucks BeWare Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Mike Origoni

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

Tom leases approximately 5,000+ acres in Pike County,Il. He has 100+ set, trimmed River's Edge hang-on/ladder stands strategically placed on funnels, field edges or in timber and they are rotated and utilized dependant upon prevailing wind direction. I hunted in 2001 & 2002 with Tom and shot a 150 class 9-pointer in 2001 and passed on 4 shooters in 2002, including a 150 class 9 pointer, looking for a 160 or better. My group has killed 4 bucks and 7 does in 2 years with Tom and we are booked again for November 2003 with Tom. He is knowledgeable, honest, and 100% legitimate. He is an avid bowhunter who knows what hard core bowhunters are all about. His leases have the potential for B&C bucks and several were observed and videotaped this past Fall. Tom strictly enforces a 130"+ minimum or better rule. This is the outfitter you want to spend the rut hunting with, you WILL see big bucks out here.Excellent operation. Mike O

Outfitter Review: Heartland Lodge - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Gary Harpole

Hunter: John Kilgore

Animals Hunted: Whitetail deer

A friend and I arrived at the lodge the last of October first of November and the rut should have been in full swing.The first evening I had borderline 130 inch mature 8 point only ten yards away. However if they don't score 130 or better you are fined $500.00 if it's less. I agree to let the small bucks go but this was and old old mature buck. Saw two other possible shooters go in the woods from a cornfield at the sameplace about 70 yards away as well as small bucks and does.I asked them if we could move stand and was told no. My partner only saw 1- 115' buck and some does. We had 16 hunters in camp and no one harvested a buck, As a matter of fact we were around the 80th hunter since the beginning of season and only 1 124" buck was taken.The place is nice but I think some of the farms are as productive as they once where. Thank You, John Kilgore

Outfitter Review: Rack and Beard - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Joe Hankins

Hunter: Kodi

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

We used the outfitter to hunt leased land in Adams Co. Illinois. The outfitter had us stay in a mouse infested house trailer. Between the four of us hunting, one of us shot 120'ish 9 pointer. After four days of hunting we saw a total of 5 small basket rack bucks and less then 10 does. Most of the deer seen were during a drive on our last day of hunting. We ran into several other hunters on the property that we had paid to hunt. The outfitter asked us to run them out. We paid to hunt.

Outfitter Review: Bucks Beware - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Ed Griffin

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

Bucks Beware Outfitters is a professional trophy buck operation in the heart of the best deer hunting in America! This is my second year with Tom and it turned out to be a hunt of a lifetime as I harvested a nice 160 class buck. Tom is more than accommodating to special needs a hunter may have from treestands to bringing you right to your tree in the morning, all his stands are well placed and set up in prime areas. This is not a big run em thru camp here, he only takes 8 hunters a week and the stands and farms are never hunted one week after another as they are at other outfitters. If you are looking for a trophy deer hunt in Pike county you can't go wrong with this outfitter, I have already booked again for 2003 and can't wait to go back! If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.

Outfitter Review: Illinios Trophy Bowhunters - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Steve Phelps

Hunter: Doug Larkin

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

Guides were very accomendating, gave you insighton the different locations, but allowed you tomake changes on your own judgement. Food wasnot fancy, but good home cooking. Very goodcamp atmosphere. Like any other hunt, expect tohunt hard, but you will see deer. Quality ofthe deer was very good. Buck to doe ratio forthe week I attended was 1 to 1 for every hunter.(10 hunters in camp that week.) Also, 8 of theten hunters took shots, 12 shots total, with5 deer taken. It was my first guided hunt, Iwill book again.

Outfitter Review: Illinois Trophy Bowhunters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Steve Phelps

Hunter: Bill Pecoraro

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

Stands -Small,Cheap,noisy,uncomfortable lock on types with screw-in steps. Hung early in the season with no regard for changing wind patterns or deer patterns. Most stands lacked adequate shooting lanes. You were expected to hunt the same stand daily, no matter what the weather conditions because there were not enough extra stands provided and the guide did not rotate hunters to different stands. The guide will move your stand, but you had to lose a half a day of valuable hunting to do so. Stands were so bad I went out and purchased a climbing stand so I could move and enjoy my last two days of hunting! You will see some great deer but you probably won't get a shot because of the poor stand locations and lack of shooting lanes-- very frustrating. Also, some of the so called "guides" are hunters that hunted the same property and took some nice animals out before you get a chance. Not a good feeling when you spent so much money and effort.

Outfitter Review: Hunting Unlimited - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Larry Hanold

Hunter: Deborah Knoff

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

I hunted here first week of october 2001. I saw lots of great deer. I was only able to hunt there for 2 days because we were on a womens only bowhunt with the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources. Larry was kind enough to donate eight 2 day hunts for us 8 women and I had a great time. You wont meet a nicer bunch of people than all the staff there. They were very knowledgeable and willing to bend over backwards to help you any way they can.I hunted first eveing and shot a doe but it was unrecovered. I hunted next morning and harvested a nice doe. Saw one nice buck not sure but think it would of scored between 160 or 170,Saw it driving out. Cant wait to return to Hunting Unlimited for a 2002 hunt.

Outfitter Review: Bucks Beware - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Ed Griffin

Animals Hunted: Whitetail bowhunt

Had a great bowhunt. Tom set me up in some great stand locations and seen some real big midwest pope and young bucks. The lodge and food were top notch and I can't wait to hunt with Tom next year!

Outfitter Review: Bucks BeWare - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Buddy Wright

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

Tom Ware is very concerned about his hunters seeing and taking a 130+ class deer. He truly wants everyone to kill a deer. His property has "world class" deer available with the potential of a world record deer in the next couple of years. A great place for hard core trophy hunting, I can't wait to get back there.

Outfitter Review: Bucks Beware Inc - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Bill Sheldon

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

Hunted with Tom last yr.and saw two P&Y class deer but had no shot oppertunitys,too far for the bow.Am going back this yr.as he really has the "book class deer"on his leased properitys.A good chance to get a wallhanger!!

Outfitter Review: Rocky Branch Outfitters - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Darrell/Diane Hafford

Hunter: JEFF WISENER

Animals Hunted: WHITETAIL DEER

DARRELL & DIANE RUN A FIRST RATE OPPERATION. I'VE HUNTED WITH THEM THE PAST 2 YEARS AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL 'BOOK' BUCKS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE A TROPHY. MY ONLY PROBLEM IS I CANT SEEM TO SHOOT STRAIGHT WHEN IT COUNTS (TWICE). IF YOU WANT TO HUNT GREAT BUCKS WITH EVEN BETTER PEOPLE THIS IS THE PLACE.

Outfitter Review: Bucks Beware - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: LEON SEPUKA

Animals Hunted: WHITE TAIL

GREAT WHITE TAIL HUNTING IN PIKE COUNTY. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS PLACE. IT'S GREAT!

Outfitter Review: Hunting Unlimited - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Larry Hanold

Hunter: Dave Smith

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

I hunted at Hunting Unlimited in the pre-rut of the 2000 season and weather was very warm. Considering the weather I saw a good number and quality of deer. I didnt get any shots at any P/Y bucks but I saw three quality bucks over the five day hunt. One buck approx 160 class was harvested the week I hunted between the five hunters. The owner Larry Hanold was very honest and provided me with what I expected. Between the five hunters I saw the most deer but the weather was definately a factor. Overall a good time and a good outfit. If I returned I would definately want to hunt the rut.(Mid-November)

Outfitter Review: RodHouse Rut-N-Strut - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Matt Rodhouse

Hunter: Jeffrey Scott

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

I went to Rodhouse with 4 people other than myself we all had a great time. Three of the five had shots on Pope & Young class animals, two wanted something bigger and the other missed. They have the animals that most serious deer hunter are looking for. They have a great lodge, with good food. We will be going back to hunt with them, if you have any question about my hunt, feel free to contact me.

Outfitter Review: Tall Tines Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Joe & Amy Gizdic

Hunter: Pete Jezdimirovic

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

This was my first bow hunt with an outfitter. Joe & Amy Gizdic lived up to my expectations. His stand selection was excellent. I saw deer everyday (3 Day Hunt) including 3 Pope & Young bucks and 1 Boone & Crocket. This was Joe's first year in the business but had previous experience as a guide with other outfitters in IL. I had access to 3 properties that consist of about 1000 acres. Although I did have the opportunity to get a shot at deer, I did not get a shot at the class deer I was looking for. I am looking forward to doing business again with Joe & Amy. I highly recommend hunting with them.

Outfitter Review: Rodhouse Rut-n-Strut - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Matt/Rick Rodhouse

Hunter: Jeffrey Scott

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

I went with four people other than myself and we all saw Pope and Young class animals. The weather was warm for hunting, believe if the weather was colder we would even seen more quality animal. One member of the hunting party saw a big 11 point right at day light an could not get a shoot, another person missed a 12 point that he said "was a book deer." Three of all five are going back and the other two would go back if they could. It is good hunt for the money. The lodge is very comfortable, and the food is good.

Outfitter Review: Foxcreek Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Von & Becky Miller

Hunter: Barry Schultz

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

Hunted with Foxcreek in 1999 on guided hunt that was pretty decent.So I decided to go back in 2000.After talking with Von about a semi-guided hunt in the next county.He told me he had 1300 acres to hunt,he would have some stands up,and we would be the first ones there.WE (5 of us) got about 490 acres to hunt,about 290 after you subtract bean & grass fields!!No stands up and hunted hard the week before.The other land had other hunters on it & he was saving the rest for his buddies the next week!He was suppose to show us around sunday am showed up about 2 pm and had work on cabin.He brought a tv/vcr combo down for us to use didn't work.WE never saw him the rest of the week.One of the guys wife called Von and left a message to call home it was inportant, he never came around.So you can see why I wouldn't recomend Foxcreek Outfitters!

Outfitter Review: Bucks Beware - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Rick Powles

Animals Hunted: Whitetail deer

You will find Tom Ware to be an honest person, that is something that seems to be hard to find among outfitters.He is being as professional as possible in his approach to getting all his hunters an opportunity at harvesting a 130" buck.Tom has all his stand locations numbered and recorded so that he has a log as to what deer have been seen at that stand, he also has what stands are best for different wind conditions and what stands are better for morning and night.I saw 5 shooter bucks in 6 days.

Outfitter Review: Bucks Beware Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Tom Ware

Hunter: Bill Sheldon

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

Hunted archery there in Nov.Had a great hunt even though I did not get a shot,saw two P&Y clas deerbut too far for shot oppertunity.Were three harvested the week I was there,all quality animals.Great hunting ground,great tree stands,100% top notch.

Outfitter Review: Shawnee Hills Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Britt Wiliams

Hunter: Scott Wise

Animals Hunted: White tail deer

Britt Williams is one of the most up front and honest guys you would want to meet. He will tell you up front that this is deer hunting and this is no garranteed hunt. If the weather is warm the deer don't move. But if you hit the cool weather in Oct.-early Dec. WATCH OUT. The buck to doe ratio is nearly 1:1 and if you see a buck it's usually a shooter. Many pope and youngs taken yearly with body sizes 180-300 lbs. I'm not feeding you any bull. the accomidations are second to none and the food is awesome. I would only recommend Shawnee Hills to the serious hunter who is willing to put time in the stand for a possible buck of a life time. Britt Williams will see to it that your stay will be the best there is in the business. I've been going to Shawnee Hills for 3 seasons now and will continue probably ever year. Check out Shawnee Hills Outfitters on the web at: shawneehill.com

Outfitter Review: D & G Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Griffith

Hunter: Shawn Mikeal

Animals Hunted: Whitetails

There were six hunters in camp this week and no one saw a descent buck and very few does while hunting. I personally only saw 3 bucks all week and they were jumped by the truck that I was riding in.

Hunter Rating

Submit Date: Oct 14, 2000

Outfitter Review: D and G outfitters - ILLINOIS

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Gri ffth

Hunter: Ron Yeager

Animals Hunted: DEER

I did not to decide to hunt with D and G. I booked with them last november. In feb. of 2000. I called to cancel my hunt. His wife told me that Dennis was unavailible for six weeks. Long story short he called me in june and said he would give me my money back. Weeks went on and no money was returned. I then called a lawyer in Ill. He began to tell me that Dennis was in jail for so called drug charges. Thats why I could not get ahold of him. If you take notice his web page is no longer on hunt info. Guys I plan to take this guy to court. I am sick of guys taking honest peoples hard earned money everything Dennis said was false. I feel very sorry for any guy that goes hunting at D AND G ANY time this year or any other time in the future. We as hunters have to stop guides like this forever. If you have any questions feel free to E-mail me. I plan to take this the whole way with Dennis Griffth. I have given him six months to make this right. I am sorry to have to do this but people need to know the facts. Call some of the people on this review and let them tell you the facts like they have told me. I hope this does some good.

Outfitter Review: Rodhouse Rut & Strut - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Rick & Matt Rodhouse

Hunter: Tim Hovas

Animals Hunted: Whitetail

Not enough space or time to tell it all. Nothing he said was true. Stayed at his honey's trailer. No clean linen, no washer, had to turn the sheets over, pubic hair is ok if it is attached to something besides my sheets. Stands put up the morning of our hunt, by his teenage son, nice short walk from the road, only obstacles were giant piles of cow manure. Told 6 people would be in camp, over 25 showed up. Greedy Guy. Never saw the fellow after the first day. Camp was a 25 mile ride the other way for supper, wasn't worth a 25 foot walk. Put over 500 miles on my truck back and forth during the hunt. Ate two meals a day in cafes because it was a 60 mile round trip back to the camp. Never been taken to the cleaners so bad over anything. The guide service is in his son's name now probably because he got caught in a sting operation two years ago by the Feds in a turkey hunting scam. Bad Apple! DO NOT spend your money with this poot-sniffer.

Outfitter Review: D&G Outfitters - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Griffith

Hunter: bILL SHELDON

Animals Hunted: Deer

The so called guide smoked while driving to the stands,he new nothing of stand placement/stand rotation, deer movement!The other guy had to take off in middle of week to take some one to air port,use of own vehicle then.No buck shot the week I was there.Food ok but other parts of lodgeing were just fair.The owner was not in caMP ALL WEEK,HOWS THAT FOR A $1500.00 DOLLAR HUNT?

Outfitter Review: Campbell Resources - IL

Outfitter / Owner: John & Matt Campbell

Hunter: ERIC ROYER

Animals Hunted: WHITETAIL DEER

MY HUNT WITH CAMPBELLS RESOURSES TOOK PLACE IN LATE OCTOBER. THE WEATHER WAS COOL THE FIRST TWO DAYS AND THE HUNTING WAS FANTASTIC. LATTER IN THE WEEK IT BECAME VERY WARM, INSPITE OF THAT WE SAW DEER EVERY DAY AND A FEW OF THEM WOULD GET ANYONES HEART POUNDING! THE CAMPBELLS HAVE A VARIETY OF CHOICES FOR THE HUNTER: IE UNGUIDED/BUDGET HUNT -- TO THE SEMIGUIDED TROPHY AREA HUNTS. ALL THEIR LAND HAS BEEN MANAGED FOR TROPHY QUAILTY DEER. ALL DEER TAKEN MUST HAVE A MIN. 16" OUTSIDE WIDTH. IF YOUR ARE LOOKING FOR A QUALITY ILL. HUNTING TRIP WITH A BOW, LOOK NO FARTHER. CALL CAMPBELLS -- YOU CAN FIND THEIR WEB PAGE ON THE BUCKMASTERS SITE.

Outfitter Review: D&G Outfitters - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Griffith

Hunter: GREG TROTTER

Animals Hunted: WHITETAIL

WE HUNTED WITH D&G OUTFIITERS ON JAN. 99 ON A THREE DAY HUNT AND SEEMED TO BE IMPRESSED WITH THERE LODGE SO WE BOOKED A HUNT FOR THE 99 SEASON IN NOVEMBER FOR A WEEK. WE HAD CALLED AHEAD DURING THE SUMMER TO GET UPDATES ON HOW THE DEER HERD WAS LOOKING, BUT TO OUR AMAZEMENT WE COULD NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE AT THE LODGE TO GET ANY INFO. AFTER CALLING A FELLOW HUNTER THAT WAS AT THE LODGE ON OUR HUNT IN JAN. HE HAD TOLD ME THE SAME THING, HE COULD NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE EITHER. WELL FINALLY A GUIDE NOT THE OWNER WAS FOUND, AND EVERYTHING LOOKED ON THE UP AND UP GOOD INFO. ON THE DEER HERD. SO MYSELF AND TWO OTHER FRIENDS WAS EXCITED AND READY TO GO ON OUR TROPHY HUNT OF A LIFETIME. WE WAS TOLD THERE WOULD ONLY BE SIX PEOPLE AT THE LODGE NO PRESSURE ON THE DEER TO OUR AMAZEMENT WHEN WE PULLED UP AT THE LODGE TWELEVE HUNTERS WAS THERE READY TO GO AND TWO HAD CANCELLED. THERE WAS TEN TO FOURTEEN HUNTERS LEAVING WHEN WE PULLED UP FROM THE WEEK BEFORE. WE SEEN A FEW DOES AND ONE SPIKE BETWEEN THE THREE OF US. WE SAT DOWN WITH THE GUIDE RUNNING THE LODGE BECAUSE THE OWNER WAS NOT THERE THE WEEK WE SCHEDULE AND EXPLAINED TO HIM WE WERE NOT HAPPY. HE THEN TOOK US TO SOME LAND 30 MILES FROM THE LODGE WALKED US AROUND A 1000 ACRE SOYBEAN FIELD THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN CUT WITH NO BEANS IN IT AND SAID YOU CAN HUNT ALL THIS. WITH NO DIRECTION WE HEADED OUT. ONLY DOES SEEN. THEN I HAD THE PLEASURE OF HUNTING OVER A GREEN FIELD WITH A POND NEXT TO IT WITH A DEER CARCASS FLOATING IN IT. THE GUIDES WOULD DRIVE YOU TO THE STANDS IN A TRUCK AND I MEAN DRIVE YOU RIGHT TO THE TREE. YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WALK 5 YARDS TO GET IN THE STAND. THESE STANDS HAD TO MUCH PRESSURE ON THEM OVER HUNTED. WHEN ASKING THE GUIDES THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO KNOW THE MOVEMENT OF THE DEER WHERE DO WE NEED TO HUNT IT WAS ( THIS LOOKS LIKE A GOOD PLACE)I DO NOT MIND DOING MY ON SCOUTING AND PUTTING UP MY OWN TREE STANDS BUT WHEN I PAY OUT MY OWN MONEY FOR A GUIDED HUNT I EXPECT FOR THE GUIDES TO HAVE ALL THIS WORK DONE FOR ME AFTER ALL THIS IS WHAT I PAID FOR RIGHT. THE LODGE ITSELF AND THE MEALS WERE SATISFACTORY BUT IF I WANTED TO GO SOME WHERE TO EAT AND SLEEP I WOULD HAVE GONE TO DISNEY LAND! OVER ALL THE HUNT WAS A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. AND THATS ALL I GOT TO SAY ABOUT D & G OUTFITTERS.

Outfitter Review: D&G Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Griffith

Hunter: RICK CHAMBERLIN

Animals Hunted: WHITETAILS

THE CREW AT D@G TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY. THE MEALS ARE TOP KNOTCH. I SAW PLENTY OF DEER, JUST NOTHING I WANTED TO SHOOT. THE WEATHER WAS TOO HOT FOR MOVEMENT DURINNG THE DAY. BRETT AND GENE WORK HARD FOR YOU. THEIR EQUIPMENT IS TOP KNOTCH AND THE ACCOMIDATIONS ARE GREAT. i'VE ALREADY BOOKED FOR 2000 DURING THE RUT. THESE FOLKS GIVE THEIR ALL TO MAKE YOUR HUNT ENJOYABLE

Outfitter Review: Crooked Creek Whitetails - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Bud Edlin

Hunter: Robert Frick

Animals Hunted: Whitetail Deer

Hunted with Crooked Creek Outfitters the last week of October, 1999. This was my first paid, out of state hunt, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I simply wanted an opportunity at a fine Illinois whitetail. Bud Edlin and Crooked Creek offered that and then some. Though I wasn't successful during my hunt (Neither were the 12 others in camp that week - the weather was terrible!), the number of deer we saw and their average size was impressive. Bud has some great farms lined up and the trophy potential is incredible. Several of us saw at least one P&Y buck during our hunts, and one hunter had a Booner just out of bow range.The accomodations were comfortable and the atmostphere very friendly. Every one could hunt as hard or as easy as they wanted -- Crooked Creek will accomodate whatever style you prefer. One thing's for sure - you won't go hungry. The food was great and there was plenty of it. I'm looking forward to going back next year.

Outfitter Review: Crooked Creek Whitetails - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Bud Edlin

Hunter: Walt Klingerman

Animals Hunted: Turkey

Bud & Mike Edlin and family are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They are very concerned about their clients having a good hunt. I will go back several times if possible.

Outfitter Review: D&G Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Griffith

Hunter: GREG TROTTER

Animals Hunted: WHITETAIL

WELL TO START WITH OUR HUNT WAS PRETTY MUCH A DISASTER AND WE KNEW IT WHIEN WE PULLED UP TO CAMP AND THERE WAS ALREADY 12 HUNTERS THERE AND AROUND 15 HUNTERS LEAVING. THE GUIDES TOOK NO INTIATIVE TO EVEN GUIDE IT WAS PUT YOU OUT IN A STAND AND COME GET YOU WHEN YOU WNTED TO COME DOWN. THEY HAD NOM IDEA OF DEER MOVEMENTS INTO THE FIELDS OR WHERE YOU MIGHT NEED TO SET UP TO SEE DEER MOVEMENT. WE KNEW OUR HUNT WAS OVER WHEN THEY TOOK US TO A BEAN FIELD 40 MILES AWAY FROM CAMP AND SAID THIS IS A GOOD PLACE NO YOU GO SCOUT IT PLACE A STAND ANY WHERE YOU WANT!!!!! NOW THATS NOT WHAT I CALL I PAID FOR GUIDED HUNT. THESE GUYS HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE DOING. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE LEFT A DAY EARLY BUT NOT AFTER ASKING IF WE COULD GET HALF OUR MONEY BACK FOR HUNTING HALF THE WEEK , GUESS WHAT THEY SAID? NO WAY!!!!! THEY DIDNT EVEN SAY GOOD BYE, THANK YOU OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO REBOOK A HUNT. ALL IN ALL I WOULD NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIS PLACE.

Outfitter Review: Rodhouse Rut-n-Strut - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Matt Rodhouse

Hunter: Dave Dykstra

Animals Hunted: Trophy Whitetail

On arrival no one was there to meet us at the owners residence. We noticed a strong oder and found a dead doe rotting in a cardboard box behind the house. The first day of the hunt our "guides" arrived after sun-up. They then couldn't find our stands. We didn't get on stand until after 8:30 am. I didn't see deer for 2 days. I then discovered cigarette butts tucked under the bark of the tree I was hunting out of. So much for scent control on this bow hunt. We were put up in a drafty old farmhouse with no water pressure in the shower. Meals consisted of no breakfast. Chili for lunch everyday. Whatever was on special at the local diner for a box lunch supper. The guides were all under 25 yrs. old and did little, other than pick us up and drop us off. And needless to say, nobody connected on a deer, not even a doe. This area obviously has some huge bucks. Find another guide in the area to put you on them though. These fellas are amateurs to say the least.

Outfitter Review: Rodhouse Rut-n-Strut - IL

Outfitter / Owner: Matt Rodhouse

Hunter: Dave Dykstra

Animals Hunted: Trophy Whitetail

For $1700.00 It was a very low budget outfit. We stayed in a ramshackle farmhouse with no water pressure, which made showering tough. Important since this was an archery hunt. Meals consisted of no breakfast. Chili for lunch everyday. Whatever the local diner had on special for a box supper. The guides dropped us off and picked us up ...sometimes. Saw no deer for the first 2 days. I then discovered old cigarette butts under the bark of the tree I was in. The stands we hunted out of had already been hunted hard in the weeks prior to my hunt. The guides are inexperienced and lazy. The farmers whos land I hunted told us he would never lease to these guys again. He caught one of the guides stealing gas from his pump. The first day of the hunt we didn't get out until after light because the guides were late and nobody knew where their stands were. There was also a dead doe carcass rotting in a cardboard box behind the owners house. Don't waste your hard earned dollars on these guys. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have concerning Rodhouse Rut-n-Strut.

Outfitter Review: D&G Outfitters - Illinois

Outfitter / Owner: Dennis Griffith

Hunter: David Gentry

Animals Hunted: WHITETAIL DEER

The camp was split in half with the same hunters seeing good bucks everyday and the other half seeing nothing.The guide would not rotate stands to give everyone a fair chance.The unlucky hunters all left before the hunt was over.We also used our own vehicle and was not compensated for any gas.